U.S. patent number 4,196,821 [Application Number 05/905,747] was granted by the patent office on 1980-04-08 for instrument housing.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LaFrance Precision Casting Company. Invention is credited to Peter A. Peroni, Joseph A. Teti, Jr..
United States Patent |
4,196,821 |
Teti, Jr. , et al. |
April 8, 1980 |
Instrument housing
Abstract
An instrument housing includes an adjustable handle which is
rotatable to a number of different positions and spring biased into
a locking condition and which may be disengaged therefrom by
longitudinal movement of the handle along the axis of rotation
without further manipulation of the means for securing the handle
to the housing.
Inventors: |
Teti, Jr.; Joseph A. (Merion,
PA), Peroni; Peter A. (Pottstown, PA) |
Assignee: |
LaFrance Precision Casting
Company (Philadelphia, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
27111658 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/905,747 |
Filed: |
May 15, 1978 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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728243 |
Sep 30, 1976 |
4089464 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/756; 16/330;
16/409; 220/759; 220/764; 248/291.1; 74/527; 74/528; 74/557 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M
11/10 (20130101); G12B 9/02 (20130101); H02B
1/04 (20130101); H02B 1/46 (20130101); H05K
5/0008 (20130101); H05K 5/023 (20130101); F16M
2200/041 (20130101); Y10T 16/540255 (20150115); Y10T
74/20864 (20150115); Y10T 74/20642 (20150115); Y10T
16/4569 (20150115); Y10T 74/20636 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
F16M
11/02 (20060101); F16M 11/10 (20060101); G12B
9/02 (20060101); G12B 9/00 (20060101); H02B
1/46 (20060101); H02B 1/04 (20060101); H02B
1/015 (20060101); H02B 1/00 (20060101); H05K
5/00 (20060101); B65D 025/28 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/94R,96
;16/112,124,126,110,110.5
;248/130,145.6,166,439,25R,207,226.2,291,316B ;190/49,54,28 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pollard; Steven M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Connolly and Hutz
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of parent application
Ser. No. 728,243; filed Sept. 30, 1976, now U.S. Pat. No.
4,089,464.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In an instrument housing or the like wherein the housing
includes a pair of opposite side walls and a U-shaped handle
spanning the side walls with securing means mounting the free ends
of the handle to the side walls and with the handle having an axis
of rotation through said free ends and having locking means on said
side walls and on said free ends, the improvement being each of
said side walls having a post extending outwardly thereof along
said axis of rotation, a bearing member disposed across said post
with a bearing face perpendicular to said axis of rotation and
radially outwardly of said post, a fastener securing said bearing
member to said post, said free end of said handle being disposed
between said bearing member and said side wall, a spring detachably
disposed externally of said housing around said post and reacting
between said bearing face of said bearing member and said free end
of said handle to urge said free end toward said side wall, said
locking means comprising locking elements on said side wall
disposed externally of said housing and complementary locking
elements on said free end disposed for locking engagement with said
locking elements under the influence of said spring urging said
handle toward said side wall, and said free ends of said handle
being disposed for axial movement along said post whereby said free
ends of said handle may be pulled outwardly away from said side
walls to overcome the force of each spring whereby said free ends
may be moved axially to permit disengagement of said locking from
said complementary locking means and then rotated to another
position and returned to locking engagement by the release of the
force overcoming the force of said springs without manipulation of
said fastener.
2. In an instrument housing or the like wherein the housing
includes a pair of opposite side walls and a U-shaped handle
spanning the side walls with securing means mounting the free ends
of the handle to the side walls and with the handle having an axis
of rotation through said free ends and having locking means on said
side walls and on said free ends, the improvement being each of
said free ends having a post extending inwardly thereof through its
side wall along said axis of rotation, a locking member within said
housing secured across said post with a locking face perpendicular
to said axis of rotation and radially outwardly of said post and
disposed toward said side wall, said free end of said handle having
a bearing face externally of and disposed toward said side wall, a
spring detachably disposed around said post externally of said
housing and reacting between said bearing face of said free end and
said side wall to urge said free end away from said side wall and
thereby urge said locking member toward said side wall, said
locking means comprising locking elements on said side wall
disposed internally of said housing and complementary locking
elements on said locking member internally of said housing disposed
for locking engagement with said locking elements under the
influence of said spring urging said locking member toward said
side wall, and said free end of said handle being disposed for
axial movement with respect to said post whereby said free ends of
said handle may be pushed inwardly toward said side walls to
overcome the force of each spring whereby said free ends may be
moved axially to permit disengagement of said locking means from
said complementary locking means and then rotated to another
position and returned to locking engagement by the release of the
force overcoming the force of said springs.
3. The housing of claim 2 wherein said post is integral with said
free end, said locking member being a plate detachably secured to
said post, and said complementary locking elements being on the
face of said plate disposed toward said side wall.
4. The housing of claim 2 wherein an annular flange is around said
bearing face on each of said free ends, and a socket on each of
said side walls receiving said annular flange.
5. The housing of claim 2 wherein said locking means comprises ball
segments and ball detents.
6. The housing of claim 2 wherein said locking means comprises
teeth.
7. In an instrument housing or the like wherein the housing
includes a pair of opposite side walls and a U-shaped handle
spanning the side walls with securing means mounting the free ends
of the handle to the side walls with the handle having an axis of
rotation through said free ends and having locking means on said
side walls and on said free ends, the improvement being each of
said free ends having a post extending inwardly thereof through its
said side wall along said axis of rotation, a bearing member within
said housing secured across said post with a bearing face
perpendicular to said axis of rotation and radially outwardly of
said post and disposed toward said side wall, said free end of said
handle having a locking member externally of said housing disposed
toward said side wall, a spring detachably disposed around said
post internally of said housing and reacting between said bearing
face of said bearing member and said side wall to urge said locking
member toward said side wall, said locking means comprising locking
elements on said side wall disposed externally of said housing and
complementary locking elements on said locking member disposed for
locking engagement with said locking elements under the influence
of said spring urging said locking member toward side wall, and
said free end of said handle being disposed for axial movement with
respect to said post whereby said free ends of said handle may be
pulled outwardly away from said side walls to overcome the force of
each spring whereby said free ends may be moved axially to permit
disengagement of said locking means from said complementary locking
means and then rotated to another position and returned to locking
engagement by the release of the force overcoming the force of said
springs.
8. The housing of claim 7 wherein said locking means comprises ball
segments and ball detents.
9. The housing of claim 7 wherein said locking means comprises
teeth.
10. The housing of claim 7 wherein each of said free ends includes
an annular shoulder concentric to said post to comprise said
locking member, said complementary locking elements being on the
surface of said shoulder concentric to said post, each of said side
walls having a socket into which said annular shoulder fits, and
said locking elements being on said socket.
11. The housing of claim 2 wherein said locking elements are
mounted on inserts secured to said side walls.
12. The housing of claim 1 wherein each of said free ends includes
an annular shoulder concentric to said axis of rotation, said
complementary locking elements being disposed on said annular
shoulder, each of said side walls having a socket with an inner
annular surface concentric to said axis of rotation, and said
locking elements being disposed on said inner annular surface.
13. The housing of claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises
ball segments and ball detents.
14. The housing of claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises
teeth.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Parent application Ser. No. 728,243; filed Sept. 30, 1976,
discloses an instrument housing which incorporates various internal
features for affording versatility to the housing. The general
structure of the housing includes a top cover comprising a top wall
with downwardly turned flanges and a similarly shaped bottom cover
having flanges and with an H-shaped expander which fits over the
flanges. The parent application also discloses a novel handle
structure which likewise enhances the versatility of the
housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide improvements usable with
the general type of housing disclosed in the parent
application.
A further object of this invention is to provide other means of
effectuating the general concepts of the inventive handle disclosed
in the parent application.
A still further object of this invention is to provide other
structural features adaptable to the housing of the parent
application.
In accordance with this invention an instrument housing includes an
adjustable handle which is rotatable to a number of different
positions and spring biased into a locking condition at a selected
position and which may be disengaged therefrom by longitudinal
movement of the handle along the axis of rotation without further
manipulation of the means for securing the handle to the
housing.
The handle may include, as disclosed in the parent application, a
projection having an axial opening along the axis of rotation of
stepped construction which increases in diameter away from a socket
on the housing and with complementary locking means being provided
on an outer surface of the handle projection and on the inner
surface of the socket with resilient means urging the handle
projection axially toward the housing with the complementary
locking means in engagement. Disengagement is achieved by outwardly
pulling the handle so as to compress the resilient means and move
the handle locking means away from the socket locking means thereby
permitting an adjustment to be made by rotating the handle to a new
position.
The concepts of the invention may also be practiced by forming a
ball or spherical segment surfaces on the handle to selectively
engage with ball detents on the housing and with a spring reacting
therebetween to force the balls of the handle toward locking
engagement with the ball detents.
In accordance with this invention the interlocking means may be
splines or teeth on the handle for engagement with complementary
splines or teeth on the housing and disengagement may be achieved
by an inward push or outward pull of the handle in accordance with
the relative mounting of the spring and positioning of the locking
means.
In accordance with yet another feature of this invention the spring
itself may be mounted interally of the housing for engaging an
extension of the handle within the housing.
The locking means on the housing may be mounted on a separate plate
which could be permanently or detachably affixed to the
housing.
THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an instrument housing in accordance
with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an instrument housing
illustrating the handle of FIG. 1 in its carrying position;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a portion of the instrument
housing in accordance with this invention illustrating a handle
receiving socket of a type known in the art;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view showing the structure of the handle
adapted for securement to the socket of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a portion of the instrument
housing in accordance with this invention having the novel handle
receiving socket;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a handle adapted for securement
to the socket of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an assembly view partly in section of the handle
adjustability and locking components for the handle structure shown
in FIGS. 5-6;
FIGS. 8 and 9 are side elevation views partly in section showing
the handle structures of FIGS. 5-7 in different phases of
operation;
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a portion of the instrument
housing in accordance with this invention showing a modified handle
receiving socket;
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a handle adapted for securement
of the socket of FIG. 10;
FIGS. 12-13 are side elevation views partly in section showing the
handle structures of FIGS. 10-11 in different phases of
operation;
FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of a portion of an instrument
housing in accordance with this invention showing yet another form
of handle locking structure;
FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the handle plate incorporating
the locking means thereon;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of the handle post which
engages the handle plate of FIG. 15;
FIGS. 17-18 are side elevation views partly in section showing the
handle structure of FIGS. 14-16 in different phases of
operation;
FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of a modified form of handle
plate incorporating the locking means thereon;
FIG. 20 is a rear elevation view showing the locking elements
mounted on the housing for engagement with the locking plate of
FIG. 19;
FIGS. 21-22 are side elevation views partly in section showing the
handle structure of FIGS. 19-20 in different phases of
operation;
FIGS. 23-25 are plan views illustrating different teeth formations
usable with the embodiment of FIGS. 19-22;
FIG. 26 is a side elevation view partly in section showing a yet
further form of handle structure;
FIG. 27 is a pictorial assembly partly in section of a modified
housing structure having the handle engaging insert;
FIG. 28 is a front elevation view of the handle engaging insert of
FIG. 27;
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another form of handle engaging
insert;
FIG. 30 is a front elevation view partly in section of a housing
incorporating yet another modified form of this invention; and
FIG. 31 is a front elevation view partly in section of a housing
incorporating still yet another modified form of this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This application relates to the type of instrument housing
described in parent application Ser. No. 728,243; filed Sept. 30,
1976, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference
thereto. Most of the following description will be directed to
features of the housing relating to the handle structure and to the
provision of a double expander.
FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the type of housing disclosed in the parent
application. As indicated therein, housing 10 includes a top cover
12 having a top wall 14 with downwardly depending flanges 16. A
bottom cover 22 is also provided with generally the same structure
as top cover 12 but inverted. A groove 22 is formed at the front
end of the bottom cover with a corresponding groove at the top
cover for accomodating a face plate or panel 44. Similarly, a back
plate or panel would also be provided. The sides of the housing are
formed by double channel or H-shaped expanders 36 which have an
upper slot 38 and a lower slot 40 (FIG. 7) for receiving the
flanges of the top and bottom covers. The elements are secured
together by, for example, threaded fasteners extending from the
bottom to the top wall and passing through guide posts 48 (FIG. 7).
The parent application points out that in certain instances it is
desirable to have a handle for the housing although of course in
other instances the handle is not necessary. FIG. 1 illustrates a
handle 56 wherein in the operative condition of the housing, handle
56 acts as a support for elevating the front end of housing 10. In
this respect handle 56 is of generally U-shaped configuration
spanning the housing with the ends thereof secured to the side
walls or expanders 36 of the housing 10. FIG. 2 illustrates the
housing where the handle 56 has been rotated to a position
generally in line with the housing so that the handle provides a
convenient means of carrying the housing.
FIG. 1 illustrates various other details disclosed in the parent
application. For example, each expander 36 include a rib 58 having
recess 76 to thereby form a shoulder 78 of the resultant groove 80.
A protective shroud may be snapped over shoulder 78.
As previously discussed housing 10 may include a handle 56. Handle
56 may take various forms. FIGS. 3-4 for example illustrate a
construction of the type generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,924,775. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each expander 36 includes an
outwardly extending boss 114 having an annular recess 115 which
defines a socket 116. Socket 116 has a hollow interior in undulated
form with a number of recesses or ratchets 118. The handle is made
generally U-shape of resilient material and terminates in a pair of
legs 120 each of which has an inwardly extending projection or
tongue 122 at its free end thereof with an undulated or ratchet
surface 124 formed thereon shaped in a complementary manner to
ratchet formation 118 on expander 36. In this manner the tongue 122
of the handle is inserted into the socket and manipulated or
rotated until the ratchet formations 118, 124 interlock to hold the
handle in place. The resiliency of the U-shaped handle material
permits the handle to be removed and/or the orientation thereof to
be altered by simply spreading the legs 120 apart to disengage the
ratchet formations 118, 124. The handle would then be positioned to
be utilized as a handle having various adjustable positions and it
is thus possible to mount the housing 10 at various inclined
positions such as illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the bight of the
handle acts as a support for the housing. Similarly, as previously
noted, by disposing the handle 56 generally longitudinally in line
with the housing 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2 the handle may be used
as a handle for its portability.
Although various types of handle constructions can be used such as
the known construction illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a particularly
advantageous feature of this invention is a novel spring loaded
handle illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 which not only provides a positive
lock but also permits adjustment without completely disengaging the
handle. FIG. 7 illustrates the various components of this handle
structure. On the outer surface of expander 36 an integral boss 126
is formed. An annular recess 128 defines the outer edge of socket
130. Locking formations 132 such as ratchet teeth or undulations
are formed at the upper edge of socket 130 while the lower inner
surface 134 is smooth. Extending from the center of socket 130 is
an upstanding post 136 having an aperture 138 designed to receive
screw 140. The inner surface of aperture 138 may be threaded or may
be smooth using a diameter smaller than that of the diameter of
screw 140. Post 136 functions not only as means of securement, as
later described, but also as a centering post to assure rapid
proper registration of the various elements during assembly. Handle
56 is U-shaped and made of a resilient material and terminates in a
pair of free legs 142. Each leg has an inwardly directed tongue or
extension 144 which has a smooth outer surface at its extreme end
at about the same diameter or slightly smaller than the diameter of
inner surface 134. An interlocking structure 146 is formed on
projection 144 in a manner which complements or interlocks with
formation 132 of socket 130. The length of locking formations 146
is less than that of formation 132. The outer end of leg 142
terminates in a slight boss 148 in diameter forming shoulders 156,
158 and end wall 160. An aperture 162 is formed in end wall 160 of
a diameter slightly larger than post 136 so that the post can fit
therethrough. The other locking components include spring 164 for
fitting over post 136 and abutment or spring retainer 166. Retainer
166 has a recess 168 at its lead end of a diameter about the same
as post 136 for very snugly fitting thereon. A recess 170 is formed
in the opposite end thereof for receiving the head of screw 140
which extends through central aperture 172 of retainer 166.
Shoulder 174 on retainer 166 is disposed for contacting shoulder
158 of handle end 142 as later described. The final element of the
locking components for handle 56 is cap 176 made of a diameter to
snugly fit in recess 154 against shoulder 156. The inner surface of
cap 176 is likewise provided with a recess 178 for accommodating
retainer 166.
FIG. 9 shows the handle structure in assembled condition. For
assembling the handle structure legs 142 are spread apart so that
the ends thereof with its locking structure may fit over boss 126
as the handle is brought into contact with the expanders 36. Post
136 slides through aperture 162 in the handle wall 160 to act as a
guide for properly positioning the handle. Handle 56 is rotated to
generally the desired orientation with projection 144 sliding
toward inner surface 134 until the interlocking formations 132, 146
begin to contact. Very slight rotation may be necessary to properly
register these locking formations and the handle is then snapped
into place. Shoulder 180 at the end of leg or end 142 rests upon
and leg 142 is generally of the same outer diameter as boss 126 so
as to generally appear to form a continuous extension with shoulder
180 resting on the outer face of boss 126. Spring 164 is then
telescoped over post 136 in recess 150 until spring 164 contacts
wall 160. Retainer 166 is then placed over spring 164 with its
cylindrical leading end 182 extending into recess 150. Retainer 166
is pushed or squeezed until internal shoulder 175 in recess 168
fits over post 136. Spring 164 is thus compressed being captured in
a chamber formed by recessed handle end 142 and reacts against
retainer 166 and end wall 160 urging handle end 142 toward expander
36 thereby assuring positive engagement between locking formations
146, 132. Screw 140 is then inserted through retainer 166 and
screwed into outwardly extending post 136 to firmly lock the
components in place. Cap 176 is then snapped into recess 154 and is
so dimensioned as to be almost a press fit therein for shielding
screw 140 with recess 178 of cap 176 fitting over retainer 166.
The spring biased lock afforded by this construction is a positive
locking action vastly superior to the looser less positive locking
formations of the prior art such as exemplified by FIGS. 3-4. By
these prior arrangements for example if one were to pick up a
casing by holding only one leg 120 of the handle the handle might
become disengaged. This, however, is prevented by the arrangement
of FIGS. 5-9.
The improved handle construction not only provides a more positive
locking action but also permits adjustability in a simple and
convenient manner without detaching the handle securing means. FIG.
8 illustrates the handle structure during such adjustment. Handle
ends 142 are pulled apart away from expanders 36. Since retainer
166 is screwed to post 136, retainer 166 is prevented from any
movement and its shoulder 174 acts as a stop member when contacted
by shoulder 158 of handle end 142 preventing any further outward
movement of the handle ends. At this stage the components are in
the position illustrated in FIG. 8. Spring 164 is further
compressed by the outwardly moving wall 160. Since cap 176 is
mounted to handle end 142, cap 176 is displaced away from the outer
surface of retainer 166. Locking formation 146 is moved out of
engagement with corresponding locking formation 132 and smooth
extension 144 is disposed at locking formation 132 without making
any contact therewith. Since the locking formations are disengaged,
the handle can be rotated to a new position and upon release
thereof the handle snaps into the locking position illustrated in
FIG. 22. As can be appreciated the only manipulations thus
necessary to adjust the position of handle 56 is an outward pull
and a rotation without the need to disengage or otherwise
manipulate any of the securing elements such as removing cap 176 or
unscrewing fastener 140. This handle construction thus represents a
marked improvement over the prior art.
The general concepts of this invention regarding the novel handle
structure may also be carried out using other structural details.
In this respect the concepts of this invention generally include
providing a rotatable handle which may be selectively moved to one
of a plurality of different positions. The free ends of the handle
include locking means wherein the locking elements are arranged
symmetrically about and concentric with the axis of rotation of the
handle. Similarly, the housing side walls include complementary
locking elements which likewise are disposed symmetrically about
and concentric to the axis of rotation. The locking elements are
urged into locking engagement by resilient means and disengagement
is accomplished by moving the free ends of the handle
longitudinally along the axis of rotation as by a squeezing or by
pulling action, as the case may be. Upon disengagement of the
locking element the handle may be rotated and the locking elements
then re-engaged under the action of the resilient means. These
concepts may be practiced in many different ways such as by
providing a socket on the expanders which includes the locking
elements as in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 or, where
the housing does not include expanders, a socket may be provided on
the housing side walls, per se. Similarly, the locking elements may
be provided on the outer surface of the housing or on the inner
surface thereof with the handle having its locking elements
disposed within the housing or outside thereof. The locking
elements for the housing may be incorporated on inserts which fit
into corresponding apertures or otherwise mounted to the housing.
Similarly, the locking elements for the handle may be on plates or
inserts detachably secured to the handle. Other variations include
mounting the resilient means externally of the housing or
internally thereof. Similarly, the resilient means may take various
forms including coil springs or leaf springs or may be provided by
inherent springiness of the handle itself.
FIGS. 10-13 illustrate one such alternative manner of providing a
novel handle structure within the concepts of this invention. As
indicated therein each free end of handle 56 includes an inwardly
directed projection 200 which has a recess 202 and an outwardly
turned annular lip 204 defining an aperture 205. The inner surface
206 of projection 200 is provided with a series of balls 208 (FIG.
11) symmetrically arranged about and concentric with the axis of
rotation of handle 56. The outer surface of the side walls of
housing 10 are provided with complementary locking means in the
form of a series of ball detents 210 (FIG. 10) which likewise are
symmetrical about and concentric to the axis of rotation. The
exposed face of expander 212 has an annular shoulder 214 (FIGS.
12-13) thereabout with a central post 216 integral with the outside
wall of expander 210. Post 216 extends through aperture 205 and
disc 218 is secured thereto by screw 220 or any other suitable
means. Disc 218 is dimensioned to be received in annular recess 222
of handle projection 200 as later described. Suitable resilient
means such as coil spring 224 is mounted within recess 202 of
projection 200 and reacts between disc 218 and projection 200 to
urge projection 200 toward side wall 210. In this manner locking
elements or balls 208 when properly positioned are registered with
detents 210 to lock handle 56 in a particular position as
illustrated in FIG. 12.
When it is desired to change the position of handle 56 the free end
of handle 56 may be grasped by the fingers as shown in FIG. 12 and
pulled outwardly away from housing wall 210 to withdraw balls 208
from detents 210, as shown in FIG. 13, whereupon handle 56 may be
rotated to the new position and upon release of the handle balls
208 re-enter detents 210 to lock the handle in the new position. As
can be appreciated the manipulation or adjustment of handle 56 to
the new position is attained without detaching the securing means
in the form of disc 218, fastener 220. As shown in FIG. 13 disc 218
not only acts as a bearing surface for spring 224 but also acts as
a stop for the outward movement of free ends of handle 56 with disc
218 resting in recess 222 as illustrated in FIG. 13.
Although FIGS. 12-13 illustrate the adjustment of handle 56 from
one position to another by the physical pulling of free ends 56 the
outward movement of the free ends along the axis of rotation need
not require such a physical pulling. In this respect by proper
dimensioning balls 208 may act as camming surfaces so that a
rotational manipulation of handle 56 results in the balls
themselves lifting away from the detents to achieve this axial
movement away and then back into the next detent.
FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a further embodiment for forming the handle.
As indicated therein, the free ends 230 of handle 56 includes a
central post 232 which extends through a central aperture 234 in
the side walls 236 of the housing and enters the interior of the
housing. A plate 238 is secured to post 232 by any suitable means
such as threaded fastener 240. FIG. 15 shows the details of plate
238. As indicated therein, a pair of balls or spherical segments
242 are provided symmetrical about and concentric with the axis of
rotation of handle 56. Plate 238 includes a circular opening 244 on
its outer surface through which fastener 240 may pass with the
inner surface having a non-circular, such as a square recess 246
for receiving the correspondingly shaped extension 248 of post 232
(FIG. 16). Post 232 likewise includes an aperture 249 for fastener
240. The inner surface of side wall 236 includes a set of ball
detents 250 for registering with balls 242.
As shown in FIGS. 17-18 each handle end 230 also include annular
flange 252 while housing side wall 236 includes on its outer side
thereof annular flange 254 whereby a spring 256 or other suitable
resilient means may be mounted to react between side wall 236 and
free end 230 urging the free ends of handle 56 outwardly away from
housing side walls 236 to thereby urge locking plate 238 into
locking engagement of balls 232 with detents 250. FIG. 18
illustrates the condition of the handle locking structure when a
new position is being obtained. As indicated by the arrow, handle
free ends 230 are squeezed or pushed inwardly to disengage plate
230 whereupon handle 56 can be rotated to the new position. This
embodiment is of particular advantage since the squeezing motion is
a more natural motion than an outward pull.
FIGS. 19-22 show a still further embodiment of this invention. As
indicated therein, instead of balls and ball detents positive lock
extensions such as splines or teeth are used. Since the embodiment
of FIGS. 19-22 is similar to that of FIGS. 14-18, like numerals are
used for like parts. FIG. 19 illustrates the locking plate to be a
circular disc 258 having a pair of teeth 260 which mate in the
spaces formed between adjacent teeth 262 on the inner side of side
wall 264. It is noted that in this embodiment the side wall is of a
more conventional structure and is not illustrated as being in the
form of an expander. It is to be understood that the specific side
wall structure is not critical except as is necessary to effectuate
the locking action.
FIGS. 23-25 illustrate various structural configurations for the
locking elements such as usable in the embodiment of FIGS. 19-22.
Thus the teeth or locking elements may be of generally square
configuration 262a, trapezoidal configuration 262b or of triangular
construction 262c.
FIG. 26 illustrates yet another ramification of this invention. As
indicated therein the resilient means or spring 265 is mounted
internally of housing side wall 266. In this respect handle 56
includes at its free end 268 inwardly directed projection 270
having the locking elements 271 on the outer side for engagement
with projections 272 on the inner surface of socket 274. The
structure of the locking elements in this embodiment is generally
along the same lines as FIGS. 5-9. One distinction, however, is the
location of the spring 265. The internal mounting of spring 265
within the housing is accomplished by providing a post 276 on the
free end 268 of handle 56 which extends completely through the side
wall 266 and has, for example, a speed nut 278 or any other
suitable bearing surface attached thereto so that spring 265 reacts
against either the side wall 266 or as illustrated against flange
280 of socket 274 and also reacts against speed nut 278.
Disengagement of the locking elements for this embodiment is
achieved by an outward pull of handle 56 as indicated by the
arrow.
FIGS. 26-28 illustrate yet another feature of this invention. In
this respect it is possible to form the locking structure which is
mounted on the housing on a separate unit or insert rather than
being integral with the housing. FIG. 27 is viewed as looking from
within the housing outwardly and illustrates such an insert as
having thereon socket 274. In this embodiment socket 274 has an
internal flange 280 which is spaced from the inner surface 282 of
socket 274 by square shaped block 284. The pair of side walls 266
each include recesses 286 which when mated together correspond in
size and shape to block 284. Any suitable interlocking means such
as the illustrated tongue and groove may be utilized for securing
side wall sections 266 together to thereby snap the side walls over
socket 274.
FIG. 29 illustrates a further ramification of the type of
arrangement shown in FIGS. 26-28. As indicated therein an
irregularly shaped or non-circular opening 290 is formed in side
wall 292 for receiving a corresponding projection 294 on insert
296. Upon insertion of projection 294 into opening 292 the insert
is then permanently secured in place by a suitable cement or other
suitable securing means. Insert 296 would include the necessary
locking elements for engagement with complementary locking elements
on handle 56.
The invention may also be practiced by mounting the insert directly
against the side walls without forming any special openings in the
side walls.
As can be appreciated any suitable number of different positions
can be attained with the novel handle structure, from a minimum of
only two positions to a maximum dictated only by the dimensional
considerations. Thus by selection by the proper insert or by use of
the appropriate handle structure 2, 4, 12, 24, or any number of
different handle positions can be achieved. Additionally, by using
a spring having a high gradient to apply a tremendous locking force
a relatively small displacement in the axial direction is all that
is necessary to achieve a repositioning of the handle. Thus, for
example, in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 23-25 the teeth
may be dimensioned as small as 0.003 inches.
In each of the previously described embodiments various types of
springs are illustrated with respect to the novel handle structure
for urging the locking elements into locking engagement. The
concepts of this invention may also be practiced where in place of
a separate spring member the springiness or resilient nature of the
handle itself serves that same function. For example, such a handle
may be made of a suitable metal which during the forming is under
bent or over bent and its memory characteristics would tend the
handle to assume a position with the free ends of the handle spaced
apart by a distance either more or less, as the case may be, than
the distance between the side walls of the housing. When the handle
is secured to the housing side walls, the free ends would be moved
out of this normal position and would be pressed toward the side
walls. FIG. 30 illustrates one manner of practicing this concept.
As illustrated therein the handle 56 is of U-shape construction
wherein the ends 300 by the springiness of the material tend to
move toward each other as indicated by the arrows 302. Free ends
300 would have structure similar to various prior embodiments
wherein locking elements are mounted externally of the housing side
walls so that the springiness of the material of handle 56 would
urge the free ends toward contact with the side walls 36 whereby
the locking elements on free ends 300 would be in locking
engagement with corresponding locking elements on side walls 36. As
also with the prior examples separate securing means would be
provided to assure a positive securement of handle 56 to the
housing 10 and thus prevent any accidental dislodgement of handle
56 from housing 10 by a pulling of the handle out of complete
engagement with the housing. The positioning of handle 56 would be
along the lines previously described wherein the free ends 300
would be pulled outwardly as indicated by the arrows 304 so that
the handle could be rotated to a new position but the securing
means would prevent the handle from being detached from the
housing.
FIG. 31 illustrates the utilization of the same concepts of FIG. 30
but with opposite results. In this respect the free ends 310 have a
tendency to move away from each other as indicated by the arrow 312
under the memory characteristics of the material. Free ends 310,
however, would include posts 314 extending into the interior of the
housing. Secured to posts 314 are plates 316 having suitable
locking elements for engagement with complementary locking elements
on the housing side walls. Again as in all other embodiments
separate securing means prevent complete detachment of the handle
56 from the housing 10. To re-position handle 56 free ends 310 are
pushed inwardly as indicated by the arrow 318 and the handle is
rotated as described, for example, with respect to FIGS. 17-18 or
21-22.
FIG. 31 also illustrates a further feature of this invention which
is particularly adaptable for use with the type of handles
illustrated in FIGS. 30 and 31. In this respect the prior
embodiments are particularly adaptable for manufacturing procedures
wherein the handles are made of a plastic material, whereas the
embodiments of FIGS. 30-31 better lend themselves to a metal
material. In order to prevent the metal from forming sharp edges
which might be uncomfortable to the user, a plastic sleeve 320 may
be provided over the metal of the handle.
The foregoing description has been generally directed to various
forms of novel handle structure with particular attention being
given to the differences in the various forms. Generally, however,
the handles all operate on the same principle and various
structural details shown in different embodiments may be used in
combination or in place of details in other embodiments. For
example, although not specifically described regarding the
embodiments of FIGS. 10-29 the forms of handles therein would
include a U-shaped handle wherein there is a degree of resiliency
to permit the free ends thereof to be either pushed inwardly or
outwardly to effect a disengagement of the locking elements and
then a re-engagement upon cessation of the pushing or pulling
force. Each of the embodiments also includes the separate securing
means which prevents a complete detachment of the handle from the
housing during the various manipulations of the handle or while the
handle is being held. Thus, for example, if the handle is held or
carried by one of the free ends rather than at the bight, the
handle will still be secured to the housing.
* * * * *